According to a 2012 study, quitting smoking can be very difficult for most people. A person’s history of success in quitting smoking can make a difference. The study found that only 10 percent of participants succeeded in quitting for the first time in their lives.
An older study found that many people quit smoking only to restart it.
A person is more likely to succeed in quitting smoking when they follow a special smoking cessation plan. This plan may include:
- Nicotine replacement therapies
- Medications
- Counseling
- Support groups
- Nicotine replacement therapy for several weeks
A person may need to try quitting more than once to succeed. The older study found that quitting smoking had to be attempted at least five times before it worked.
A person may need to quit smoking before they can successfully quit. They should not try to quit smoking until they have tried to quit in the past and have failed.
How To Quit Smoking?
Tobacco use is a serious health hazard. It is a leading cause of preventable death, and it is the leading cause of preventable disease. Smokers are more likely to have:
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Lung cancer
- Lung diseases
- COPD
If someone wants to quit smoking, they should follow the tips below:
1. Prepare To Quit
A person should make sure they have the support of family, friends, and others they trust and who can help them quit.
They should also be aware of the health risks of smoking and try to quit smoking as soon as possible.
2. Keep A Log
A person can use a log to help them plan their journey to quitting smoking. They will need to keep track of the number of days and times they smoke as well as how much they smoke each day.
They can also keep a log of their efforts to quit smoking, including any help from family, friends, and others.
3. Plan To Quit
A person should always have a plan to quit smoking. This plan should include a date and time for their next attempt and any changes they need to make in their lifestyle.
A person should also have a plan to help them cope with the withdrawal symptoms they may experience during their attempt to quit.
4. Prepare For A Quit Day
It may be harder to quit smoking on a particular day. It may not be as easy as they first thought. A person should plan to use the day to relax and reflect on their plan to quit smoking.
They should also be prepared to have a cigarette or two before attempting to quit. They should be aware of the health risks of smoking and try to quit as soon as possible.
5. Try To Quit
A person should not attempt to quit smoking without having tried to quit in the past. They should also not start to smoke without the support of family, friends, and others.
It may be that they try a different method to help them quit smoking and find the one that works best for them.
6. Stay Quit
The older study found that quitting smoking was more successful when a person stayed quit for at least one month.
7. Help Others
A person may need other people to help them with their quit smoking attempts. They may need to plan to have friends and family around them while they are trying to quit.
They should also have support from others who smoke. They should try not to smoke around anyone who smokes.
If It Takes More Than One Try to Quit
A person who is having difficulty quitting smoking may need to try to quit again. They may also need to try other methods to help them quit.
For example, quitting smoking may not be as easy as they thought. They may not have been able to make any significant changes to their lifestyle.
They may also not have the support they need from family, friends, and others.
A person may only wish to try quitting smoking once. It is best to quit smoking to avoid having to smoke it again.
People who do not smoke should try to quit smoking as soon as possible.
It is better to avoid the health risks of smoking throughout their life.
A person can ask their doctor for advice on how to quit smoking. They can also contact the free Smokefree Ontario helpline.
People who have tried to quit smoking but have not succeeded should not give up. Their doctor can refer them to a smoking cessation specialist.
It is important that a person who is having problems quitting tries to quit again. They can also contact a free smoking cessation service.
Tobacco Use And The Risk Of Cancer
Cigarette smoking is the single biggest risk factor for most types of cancer. Smoking increases the risk of some types of cancer by a large amount.
The risk of developing cancer increases with the number of years a person has smoked. Smoking increases the risk of all types of cancer, including:
- Lung, oral, and mouth cancers
- Breast cancer
- Bladder cancer
Smoking also increases the risk of cancer in the:
- Esophagus
- Stomach
- Liver
- Pancreas
Smoking increases the risk of many types of cancer.
When a person has one cigarette, they may not see any changes. When a person smokes 20 cigarettes a day, the risk of developing cancer increases.
Smoking a pack of cigarettes a day is the most harmful way to smoke.
When a person is addicted to nicotine, the nicotine in the cigarette makes them feel high and increases their risk of developing health problems.
Smoking is an addiction. A person who wants to quit smoking should quit gradually.
A person can find support from a free smoking cessation service.
Smoking And The Risk Of Heart Disease
Cigarette smoking is a major cause of heart disease and stroke in Canada. Smoking increases the risk of heart disease by a large amount.
A person who smokes cigarettes has a much higher risk of developing heart disease than a non-smoker.
Smoking increases the risk of heart disease by:
- A one-pack-a-day smoker: 13 to 21 per cent
- A five-pack-a-day smoker: 35 to 43 per cent
- A 10pack-a-day smoker: 49 to 59 per cent
Smoking increases the risk of heart disease in the:
- Heart muscle
- Blood vessels
Key takeaway
Smoking is bad for people’s health. Quitting smoking can reduce the risk of many types of cancer and heart disease.
A person can find help from a free smoking cessation service.
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